Home sellers in Glen Ridge and Montclair often ask me- should I renovate my kitchen before putting it on the market? There is not always a straightforward answer but this may lend some insight.
I’ve always liked the idea of solar energy: it’s non-polluting, infinitely renewable, and available domestically. Now, thanks to a 30 % federal tax credit and the ability to sell SRECs (solar renewable energy certificates) to power companies, it’s also financially feasible. So I am having solar energy panels installed on my roof.
As part of the solar panel system, I also needed to install 3 inverters in my home. Inverters convert the solar energy produced into usable voltages; Call me weird, but I really enjoy going down to my basement to watch them count up the kilowatts of energy being generated.
The panels are just about done; once I have the final approvals in place, they will generate around 1/3 of the electricity I need to run my house. This project has not been cheap, but I expect to recoup the cost in around four years. After that, it will provide me with an annual cash flow of several thousand dollars. Putting solar panels up is a win-win situation: I will ultimately save money while I do my small part to save our planet. It’s something that anyone with a south facing roof can do – There are even free options if you don’t have the cash to pay for the panels. If you’d like to know more about it email me or read more on the piece from Baristanet.
Some of my seller clients spend several months and thousands of dollars upgrading a home before putting it on the market. But for homeowners who are short on time and cash, there are some very effective smaller projects that will increase value and reduce time-on-market.
1. Expose hardwood floors.. There is a decided preference for hardwood floors in Montclair. Worn carpet is a real turn off to buyers and they often fret about what might be underneath. With a hammer and a sharp knife, carpet removal is an easy and free DIY project to raise the value of your home.
2. Paint rooms in a light neutral color with white or off-white trim. Montclair’s 1920s colonials look fresh and modern with this simple combination. Wall paper and dark colors can be an obstacle for some buyers and a new coat of paint is one of the best investments you can make for $25.
3. Hire a professional cleaning service right before the home goes on the market. Even if you’re a clean freak and consider your home to be spotless, a professional cleaner will do things that are not part of your routine and make you home sparkle like never before. Cost: $100 to $300.
4. Have the windows washed by a professional. Most services will do inside and out as well as the storm windows. Have them remove the screens from windows that you usually don’t open. Shiny windows and a clear view let in more light and make a world of difference. The cost should be about $6 per window.
5. Power wash your house, front steps and deck- and the gutters too. Moss and dirt make a house look uncared for. You can buy a small washer for under $200 or rent one for $50/day. Or hire a professional for about $500.
6. Remove dark, heavy drapes and vertical blinds and replace with wood blinds or sheer curtains – or just leave the windows bare if privacy is not an issue. Let as much natural light in as possible.
7. Spruce up the bathroom with a new, high quality, white shower curtain. Recaulk the shower and tub. Replace the toilet seat if it is yellowed or worn.
8. Refresh the front door with a new coat of paint in a complementary accent color. Replace the mailbox, house number and door hardware to update the look.
9. Hire a landscaper to do a “spring clean-up” of the yard, even if it’s summer or fall. Professional crews employ equipment and skills that most homeowners don’t have. It’s like doing a deep cleaning of your front yard. Having last season’s sticks, leaves and yard debris removed will boost your curb appeal and your home’s value.
After closing on their bank-owned Colonial in Verona, one of the first “improvements” Bil and Ashli made was to add a vegetable garden to their backyard. They are predicting a prolific harvest of beans, onions, tomatoes, and Chinese sweet potatoes, of which they only eat the greens.
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With 40,000 shade trees in Montclair, some gardeners have found that the backyard is just too shady to grow vegetables. A front yard flower and vegetable patch, however, is always an option, and can even replace the entire front lawn, giving the house a verdant and functional appeal. Robin of Glen Ridge has replaced her front lawn with a beautiful and bountiful combination of flowers and edibles. In her garden of Eden she grows rhubarb, cucumbers, beets, lettuce, squash, and herbs.
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Montclair resident and food writer Laura has a front yard garden that is bordered by stones and integrates flowers and vegetables in the European fashion. This design, which runs along the path to her front door, works especially well because it welcomes visitors into her pleasant home and busy kitchen.
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As for me, I have also established my raised-bed garden in the front yard, the only place that gets consistent sun.
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